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Family convicted for bully deaths Family convicted for bully deaths
(about 2 hours later)
A teenage bully has been convicted of manslaughter after the parents of a girl she taunted in the playground were killed in an arson attack.A teenage bully has been convicted of manslaughter after the parents of a girl she taunted in the playground were killed in an arson attack.
Natalie Connor, 18, and her parents Michael and Jane, both 40, plotted to pour petrol through the letterbox of Lucy Cochrane's house in Manchester.Natalie Connor, 18, and her parents Michael and Jane, both 40, plotted to pour petrol through the letterbox of Lucy Cochrane's house in Manchester.
Her father set the home alight, killing Maureen and Alex Cochrane and severely injuring their daughter.Her father set the home alight, killing Maureen and Alex Cochrane and severely injuring their daughter.
Connor and his wife were both convicted of murder at Manchester Crown Court.Connor and his wife were both convicted of murder at Manchester Crown Court.
Their daughter was cleared of murder, but was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and arson. Their daughter was cleared of murder, but was also convicted of grievous bodily harm and arson.
They will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on 20 December.They will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on 20 December.
Michael and Jane Connor were both cleared of the attempted murder of Lucy Cochrane - a special needs pupil at Newall Green High School, who was 16 at the time of the attack.Michael and Jane Connor were both cleared of the attempted murder of Lucy Cochrane - a special needs pupil at Newall Green High School, who was 16 at the time of the attack.
Family branded "evil scum"Family branded "evil scum"
The deaths of Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her 54-year-old husband, Alex, were described in court as a "tragedy of epic proportions" motivated by "such a trivial and nonsensical cause".The deaths of Maureen Cochrane, 45, and her 54-year-old husband, Alex, were described in court as a "tragedy of epic proportions" motivated by "such a trivial and nonsensical cause".
The jury heard the Connors had carried out an 18-month "campaign of harassment" on the Cochranes.The jury heard the Connors had carried out an 18-month "campaign of harassment" on the Cochranes.
The animosity stemmed from Natalie and Lucy, who had met at Newall Green School in Wythenshawe, and had fallen out with each other.The animosity stemmed from Natalie and Lucy, who had met at Newall Green School in Wythenshawe, and had fallen out with each other.
The court was told Natalie Connor harboured an "obsessive" hatred for Lucy and made up "entirely false" allegations that Lucy was bullying her.The court was told Natalie Connor harboured an "obsessive" hatred for Lucy and made up "entirely false" allegations that Lucy was bullying her.
Natalie's mother Jane Connor was a "ready ally", who plied her ex-husband with drink while inciting him to "sort out" the problem.Natalie's mother Jane Connor was a "ready ally", who plied her ex-husband with drink while inciting him to "sort out" the problem.
With money from his ex-wife, Michael Connor bought £3 of petrol.With money from his ex-wife, Michael Connor bought £3 of petrol.
'Engulfed in flames''Engulfed in flames'
Shortly after midnight on 12 January he poured it through the letterbox of the Cochrane's Wythenshawe home and lit a match, while Jane kept watch.Shortly after midnight on 12 January he poured it through the letterbox of the Cochrane's Wythenshawe home and lit a match, while Jane kept watch.
The hallway of the terrace in Warmley Road was engulfed in flames and reached temperatures of 1,000 degrees centigrade in minutes.The hallway of the terrace in Warmley Road was engulfed in flames and reached temperatures of 1,000 degrees centigrade in minutes.
By the time fire crews arrived Mrs Cochrane was dead and although her husband was rescued, he later died in hospital. Post-mortem examinations revealed the pair died from burns and smoke inhalation.By the time fire crews arrived Mrs Cochrane was dead and although her husband was rescued, he later died in hospital. Post-mortem examinations revealed the pair died from burns and smoke inhalation.
Lucy survived the arson attack despite suffering severe burns.Lucy survived the arson attack despite suffering severe burns.
She now lives with an uncle in London, the court heard.She now lives with an uncle in London, the court heard.
The repercussions of bullyingThe repercussions of bullying
In a Victim Impact Statement, her grandfather Thomas Williams criticised police for not taking action against the Connors after an incident just five days before the fatal attack.In a Victim Impact Statement, her grandfather Thomas Williams criticised police for not taking action against the Connors after an incident just five days before the fatal attack.
Police were called after liquid, believed to be petrol, was discovered on his daughter's front door - but no officer attended.Police were called after liquid, believed to be petrol, was discovered on his daughter's front door - but no officer attended.
Instead, the family was promised CCTV cameras and told that police would seek Asbos against the Connors.Instead, the family was promised CCTV cameras and told that police would seek Asbos against the Connors.
Mr Williams said the victims would still be alive but for the "neglect and dereliction of duty" by the police officer involved.Mr Williams said the victims would still be alive but for the "neglect and dereliction of duty" by the police officer involved.
An investigation is under way into the incident by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).An investigation is under way into the incident by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
Speaking outside the court after the hearing, Mr Williams branded the Connors "evil scum".Speaking outside the court after the hearing, Mr Williams branded the Connors "evil scum".
Michael Connor, of Hall Street, Offerton, near Stockport, claimed he did not intend to kill the victims and denied two counts of murder, the attempted murder of Lucy and grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent. Michael Connor, of Hall Street, Offerton, near Stockport, claimed he did not intend to kill the victims and denied two counts of murder, the attempted murder of Lucy and grievous bodily harm with intent.
Jane Connor, of Wellfield Road, Brooklands, also denied two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, GBH with intent and arson. Jane Connor, of Wellfield Road, Brooklands, also denied two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent and arson.
Natalie Connor, of the same address, denied two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, GBH with intent and arson Natalie Connor, of the same address, denied two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm and arson.
Jane Connor's mother, Margaret Robinson, 66, admitted a single charge of perverting the course of justice.Jane Connor's mother, Margaret Robinson, 66, admitted a single charge of perverting the course of justice.